Unlike the Olympic Games, which features three equestrian disciplines, the Paralympic programme only includes dressage. Para dressage is a sport in which rider and horse become one. Riders are judged on the accuracy and quality of their riding, their horse’s behaviour in gaits and halts, artistic finesse, and other aspects of their performance.
Para dressage was originally a means of therapy (with participants benefiting from interacting with horses) – and a leisure activity. The first competitions were held in the 1970s. However, it was not until the Atlanta 1996 Games that dressage was added to the Paralympic programme. All events are mixed, with all riders competing together across the five classes.